The Night King - Prep: Groundwork III

The pier (groundwork) for the NK is DONE!

Once the pier was sized and fitted to the base, things started falling into place quite rapidly. Finishing and distressing of the wood remain to be done before it can be deemed ready for staining and weathering. 

“When the cost of a hobby exceeds the fun and doesn't attract new people, the game is over.” -
Oscar Koveleski, August 2003

The Night King - Prep: Groundwork II

The foundational "framework" of the pier has been completed! The planking--longitudinal and ho- rizontal--has been cut, and the horizontal planks have been permanently attached to one of the two main beams. Allowing the white glue to set for a couple of hours, I began cutting the pier down to size, and permanently attached a longitudinal plank to stabilize the horizontals. . . 

“When the cost of a hobby exceeds the fun and doesn't attract new people, the game is over.” -
Oscar Koveleski, August 2003

The Night King - Prep: Groundwork I

In my introductory posting to this arc, I indicated that my iteration of the figure would be the Night King as he appeared in the GoT episode, "Hardhome" (S5ep8). With the lower half of the figure well on its way to completion and priming, the time has come to begin addressing the setting of the piece. . . 

23.05.2019--The pose I chose for the NK effectively limits the setting that can be used: he will be displayed on a section of pier. My initial concept was having the pier in water; however, when I began sketching the design of the groundwork, it was obvious that, given the approximate dimen- sions of the pier, the figure would be significantly overbased. I then decided to have the NK on a reduced section of pier: this would allow me to retain most of the structural interest without hav- ing to include the water. I will suggest the aquatic element of the vignette using varnish and acry- lic gel.

The pier will be scratchbuilt using basswood.

“When the cost of a hobby exceeds the fun and doesn't attract new people, the game is over.” -
Oscar Koveleski, August 2003

The Night King - Prep 7: Detailing, pt. 3

12.05.2019--The reworking of the sigil is all-but-done. The remaining work will be done in situ, as the sigil has been permanently attached. 08.06.2019--DONE!

The skirt of the gambeson is DONE! 27.05.2019--While watching a number of "BtS" (Behind the Scenes) features, I noticed that the skirt of the gambeson had a corresponding rear vent flap. HOWEVER, it is unclear whether the NK's gambeson had a rear flap in the scene in question. As it will provide a more positive fit, I decided to add the rear flap.

14.05.2019--The final finishing of the x-overs is well underway. . . ~45% done.

18.05.2019--Upon careful examination of the photo-references for the greaves, I noticed that the straps were completely inaccurate--the unique points of detail were given rather short-shrift by the designers of this kit! I have begun removing the molded straps and buckles. The "buckles"--6 total, not 4!--have been roughed-in.

23.05.2019--The three straps/buckles of the right greave are DONE!

01.06.2019--The three straps/buckles of the left greave are DONE!

“When the cost of a hobby exceeds the fun and doesn't attract new people, the game is over.” -
Oscar Koveleski, August 2003

The Night King - Prep 6: Detailing, pt. 2: The Rerebraces

An integral part of the Finishing process is evaluation and reassessment. I won't indulge in a diatribe about one of the most critical aspects of what we do: you either know it--or you never will. 

As I was finalizing the detail work on the armour lining on the arms, I noticed that the rerebraces were given rather short shrift by the designer. . . and that they were asymmetrical!  Rather than try to correct the faults on a medium not particularly suited for this kind of work, I decided to re- move the rerebraces altogether and resculpt them, paying very close attention to my references.

16.05.2019--The inner/ventral 'laminae' of the right arm are done! This was by and large a scribing exercise in anticipation of the resculpting of the rerebrace itself.

18.05.2019--The right rerebrace has been roughed-in.

27.05.2019--The inner 'laminae' of the left arm are done; the left rerebrace has been roughed-in.

02.06.2019--The right rerebrace is DONE!

“When the cost of a hobby exceeds the fun and doesn't attract new people, the game is over.” -
Oscar Koveleski, August 2003